Buss, 79, has been checked in to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles; a source told radaronline.com that Buss is near death. The Register reported that it had prior knowledge of Buss’ condition but did not publish the information out of respect for the privacy of Buss’ family.

Buss has spent much of the past year in the hospital. He didn’t take part in this season’s Lakers’ photo day (it was the first time he had missed it) and hasn’t attended a game in more than a year. His health has worsened over that period, according to the Register.

In the event he can no longer run the team, Buss plans to hand the Lakers to his six children. The business side would be run by his daughter Jeanie and the basketball side by his son Jim.

The Lakers came under Buss’ ownership in 1979, when he bought 66 percent of the team. The franchise, one of the NBA’s most visible, has since won 10 championships on the back of blockbuster deals and shrewd draft picks.